International Montessori School is committed fostering curious and confident students who embrace diversity and have a positive impact in the world.
IMS is a small and growing school that places a priority on building community, welcoming families from all backgrounds, and celebrating our differences. By choosing a language immersion school that focuses on the whole child, families are making an investment in their child’s future, considering both their individual development and their place in the larger world. IMS works to keep costs affordable and offers financial assistance to make tuition accessible for more families.
Tuition 2023-2024
Application & Enrollment Fees
*$50 for siblings applying at the same time.
Financial Assistance
IMS is committed to creating a diverse school community where all people are embraced, respected, and appreciated. In the 2022-2023 school year, 17% of our students body will receive some kind of financial assistance. While IMS does not cover 100% of tuition costs for any student, we strive to provide some level of assistance for those who require it.
IMS provides financial assistance based on on demonstrated family need. We use an independent third party, Tuition Aid Data Services (TADS), to determine an applicant family’s ability to afford tuition. Applications for financial assistance should be completed at the same time as an admissions application and are only evaluated for those who have applied for admissions.
Create an account with your email address and password. If you have previously used the Family Portal, log in as a Returning Family using the same email address and password.
Once all sections are complete with green check marks, the Submit & Pay button will activate. Follow the prompts to the payment screen. The $60 fee is nonrefundable. Once your PFS is submitted, it cannot be withdrawn.
After you pay for and submit your PFS, you will have access to the Family Portal’s My Documents tab. This is where you upload required documents as part of the application process. It make take some time to ensure that all documents are uploaded and are what TADS requires to assess need.
Be sure to submit required documents by the the deadline to complete your application.
IMS will communicate our financial assistance decision to you directly. We use the information from the PFS as a starting point, but also consider school policies, practices, and available budget.
Your financial assistance package is offered at the same time as an enrollment agreement.
- Additional documentation – Parents who own a business, have a trust, or who receive rental income may be need to submit additional documentation
- Apply for admission first – Applications for financial assistance should be completed at the same time as an admissions application. Financial assistance applications are only evaluated for those who have applied for admissions.
- Be aware of deadlines – Meeting application and document submission deadlines is vital for IMS to determine a family’s need and for us to allot funds as fairly as possible. Late submission may mean that families who would otherwise qualify will not be granted awards.
-
Use your most recent tax return (for now) – We realize that most tax forms are not available until January. If you don’t have the requested tax forms, such as W2s or 1040s, complete the application using your prior year tax forms as a guideline. When you receive the requested tax forms, log back in and upload them.
Applications are due by January 15, 2023
All supplemental documents to the financial assistance application must be received by January 29, 2023.
Lump Sum Payments
This payment plan requires a one-time payment of the annual tuition for the academic year and is due by March for the school year beginning in August. For those making a one-time payment in March, there is a pre-payment discount of 3%. This payment option is not available to those receiving financial assistance or after March 31.
Monthly Payments
This payment plan divides the total annual tuition into a tuition deposit of 10% of tuition and 9 additional payments for a total of 10 payments. For returning students, we have a continuous enrollment program which means billing for the upcoming year begins automatically unless a family notifies us of withdrawal in February of the current year. The tuition deposit is charged is March according to the family’s existing payment dates and payment methods. For new students, the tuition deposit and enrollment fee are due March 5th or upon acceptance for new students to reserve your child’s place at the school for the upcoming academic year. (The enrollment fee above is only applicable to newly enrolled students.) The remaining 9 payments are due beginning in July. In the case of a late enrollment, tuition payments will be amortized across the number of payments remaining in the standard monthly payment plan which may result in fewer than 10 payments.
From time to time we find or receive information for additional external resources that can assist families in financing their child’s education. IMS does not endorse any particular program, nor do we necessarily have families who have received assistance through the programs below. Contact the organizations directly if you have questions.
The NC Opportunity Scholarship Program expands school choice in through scholarship grants for eligible children in kindergarten through 12th grade. This program provides funding of up to $4,200 per year for eligible children who choose to attend a participating nonpublic school. This program is need-based and uses a lottery system. Please see their website for details and deadlines.
The Education Student Accounts (ESA+) Program provides scholarships in the amount of up to $9,000 a year, and to cover expenses related to educating a child with a disability in a nonpublic school. Students must have had eligibility determination from a North Carolina Individualized Education Program (IEP) dated within the last three years. Please see their website for details and deadlines.